Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Perceptions vs Reality Can Mean Life or Death!

Researchers have discovered that there are several variables that can have a statistical effect of patient survival, yet many "...surgeons placed less importance on sex, type of anesthesia, and ASA score [level of anemia]...."This new information could decrease the high number of deaths, up to 22%, from hip fractures and resulting surgery.

Knowledge of predictors of outcome can and should influence treatment decisions and can subsequently improve outcomes

Hip fractures have devastating consequences for patients and their families, including a 22% mortality rate within 1 year postoperatively3 and substantial impairment of independence and quality of life.4 Hip fractures also account for more hospital days than any other musculoskeletal injury and represent more than two-thirds of all hospital days due to fractures.5

Figure:

The responses of American surgeons vs European surgeons regarding predictors of outcome after operative treatment of femoral neck fractures.